Tyke Bulldog is a character in Tom and Jerry cartoon series. He is a gray bulldog puppy who is the son of Spike Bulldog, who is mostly seen appearing when his father, Spike is present. He made his debut in the 1949 short Love That Pup.
He and his father would star in the spin-off series Spike and Tyke in 1957 in two shorts, as the father and son duo would starring in later in the comics books, and a revival form of Spike and Tyke as segments in Tom and Jerry Kids, which he is the series where he can speak.
Characteristics[]
Appearance[]
Tyke shares many traits with his father, Spike. He has a gray coat, a red collar adorned with gold spikes, and light blue eyes. Most of the time, he is depicted standing on all fours, though he occasionally stands on his hind legs in certain situations.
Personality[]
Tyke is a charming, joyful, and innocent puppy who remains mostly silent throughout the earlier installments. The dynamics between Tyke and Spike serve as a heartwarming example of father-son interactions, with Spike dedicating much of his leisure time to taking Tyke on adventures together. He teaches him essential lessons about life as a dog while ensuring Tyke's safety during their rests. Tyke looks up to Spike with deep affection, aspiring to emulate him as he grows older.
However, like his father, Tyke harbors a strong aversion to cats, particularly Tom, and he isn't hesitant to resort to aggression if a cat pushes his buttons. At times, he demonstrates a sharper intellect and greater awareness than Spike. This is illustrated in the animated short "Scat Cats," where alley cats masquerade as their owners, George and Joan. While Spike is deceived by the ruse, Tyke sees through the disguise without hesitation.
History[]
Tyke Bulldog made his charming debut in the iconic Tom and Jerry franchise during the 1949 cartoon Love That Pup. The introduction of Tyke changed the dynamics of the beloved series, particularly in the relationship between Tom and Spike. Previously known for his fierce and combative nature, Spike's character underwent a transformation with the arrival of his puppy son, Tyke. Voiced by Daws Butler—who uniquely modeled his vocal performance after the legendary Jimmy Durante from Durante's 1940s radio shows—Spike became a softer, more endearing figure, displaying a tender side primarily directed towards his son.
As Spike took on this paternal role, he became more kind-hearted yet retained his signature, bumbling demeanor. Interestingly, the dynamic shift also served as a strategic twist in the long-running rivalry between Tom and Jerry. With Spike’s affectionate attention on Tyke, Jerry smartly used Tyke as leverage against Tom. The clever mouse would manipulate the situation to make it seem as though Tom was responsible for any mishaps involving Tyke, despite the obvious proof of Jerry's involvement. Spike, driven by his protective instincts and a somewhat oblivious nature, often blamed Tom for these events, primarily fueled by his enduring dislike for the cat.
In 1957, the popularity of Spike and Tyke led to a short-lived cartoon series that focused on the duo. However, only two episodes were completed before MGM shuttered its cartoon studio. The creative minds behind Hanna-Barbera saw potential in the characters and reworked them into a new format, leading to the creation of Augie Doggie and Doggie Daddy, which became one of their early television successes.
Tyke would not see new appearances in Tom and Jerry cartoons until the 1980s with The Tom and Jerry Comedy Show. He continued to be a part of the franchise in the 1990s series Tom & Jerry Kids, which featured younger versions of the titular characters while Spike and Tyke remained unchanged in age. In Tom & Jerry Kids, Tyke appeared slightly older than in his original debut and was capable of speaking, allowing him to showcase more personality and have meaningful interactions. During this time, he even found himself with a new girlfriend, adding more depth to his character and further enriching the father-son dynamic with Spike in a fun and engaging way.
One notable episode featuring Tyke in Tom and Jerry Tales was titled "Game Set Match," where he donned a red shirt, demonstrating his evolving character in the series.
Most recently, Spike and Tyke have appeared in the reboot series The Tom and Jerry Show (2014), continuing to entertain new generations of fans. They made their most recent appearance in Tom and Jerry in New York in 2021, maintaining their status as beloved characters in the franchise.
Theatrical and TV Appearances[]
Tom and Jerry[]
- Love That Pup, 1949
- Slicked-up Pup, 1951
- That's My Pup!, 1953
- Life with Tom, 1953
- Hic-cup Pup, 1954
- Pup on a Picnic, 1955
- Barbecue Brawl, 1956
- Tops with Pops, 1957
Spike and Tyke[]
- Give and Tyke, 1957
- Scat Cats, 1957
The Tom and Jerry Comedy Show[]
Tom and Jerry Tales[]
Season 2[]
The Tom and Jerry Show (2014)[]
Season 1[]
Season 2[]
- Slinging in the Rain
- Squeaky Clean
- Tuffy's Big Adventure
- Duck, Duck, Loose
- Pain for Sale
- Splinter of Discontent
- Tic-Tyke-D'oh
- School of Hard Knocks (cameo)
- Going, Going, Going Viral
Season 3[]
- Someone's in the Kitchen With Mynah
- You Are What You Eat
- Not My Tyke
- Hyde and Shriek
- Magic Hat Cat
- No Contest
- Ballad Of The Catnip Kid
Season 4[]
- Cat-astrophic Failure
- The Devil You Know
- The Old Gray Hair
- Balloonatics
- Junkyard Pup
- How to Be a Dog (cameo)
- Puppy Guard
Season 5[]
Tom and Jerry in New York[]
Season 2[]
Direct-to-video films[]
- Tom and Jerry: The Magic Ring (2002)
- Tom and Jerry Meet Sherlock Holmes (2010)
- Tom and Jerry: Robin Hood and His Merry Mouse (2012)
- Tom and Jerry's Giant Adventure (2013)
- Tom and Jerry: Spy Quest (2015)
- Tom and Jerry: Back to Oz (2016)
- Tom and Jerry: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (2017) (cameo)
War of the Whiskers[]
Tyke appears in Tom and Jerry in War of the Whiskers. He is one of the five All-Round fighters alongside Jerry, Robot Cat, Quacker and Nibbles. He is faster in speed and like his father Spike, he fights Jerry in Haunted Mouse.
Weaknesses[]
Trivia[]
- Unlike Spike, Tyke does not speak in these original theatrical shorts or any of the other known productions where characters from Tom and Jerry are in; in The Tom & Jerry Kids Show, however, Tyke's speaking voice is provided by Patric Zimmerman, who also provided the voices for Elroy Jetson and Augie Doggie.
- It is unknown who Tyke’s mother is.
Gallery[]
Main Article: Tyke Bulldog/Gallery
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